Seven South Korean tourists attempted to smuggle blocks of gold into Japan at the end of January by hiding them in their rectums, according to aviation industry sources.

The suspects, all women in their 50s and 60s, were traveling from Incheon International Airport, South Korea, to Chubu Airport here. Metal objects were detected in their abdomen by X-rays and other inspections at customs.

The objects were found to be roundish-shaped blocks of gold sealed inside transparent bags. Each woman had concealed between five and eight items weighing about 200 grams each, which were confiscated by customs inspectors...

The Ministry of Culture said last month that it was targeting "striptease" and other "obscene, pornographic, and vulgar performances" at funerals, weddings and traditional Chinese New Year public gatherings.

...Some communities in rural China reportedly believe that bigger attendances at funerals help to honour the dead and bring them good fortune.

But some experts say the erotic shows pay tribute to fertility. "According to the interpretation of cultural anthropology, the fete is originated from the worship of reproduction,"

Reports say the new campaign involves people being offered financial rewards to contact a special "hotline" to report "funeral misdeeds".

Media has often blamed the shows on the increasing decadence and materialism of Chinese families, as the country opens up the West.